By Paul Fauvet
Maputo (MOZTIMES) - Mozambique’s newly created General State Inspectorate “is a decisive step in the management of state assets, the promotion of integrity and transparency and preventing and combating corruption in the public administration”, declared President Daniel Chapo on Tuesday.
He was speaking when swearing into office the top leadership of the new inspectorate. Carmelita Namashalua, who had formerly held the posts of Minister of State Administration and Minister of Education, becomes the General State Inspector. She has two deputies – Emanuel Mabumo, the former General Inspector of Finance, and Laura Nhancale, the former General Inspector of Public Administration.
Chapo said the General Inspectorate of Finance and the General Inspectorate of the Public Administration have now been abolished and their tasks integrated into the General State Inspectorate.
“This does not mean a reduction in the inspection capacity of the State”, insisted Chapo. “On the contrary, it represents rationalisation and modernisation, and the passage from a fragmented model, with overlapping responsibilities, to a coherent, vertical and integrated model, guided by results”.
The duties that Namashalua and her two deputies have now accepted “are of great relevance for strengthening the institutions of the direct and indirect administration of the State as well as to rescue and boost the credibility of the State”, said Chapo.
He added that “internal control in the sectors subject to inspection must evolve from a merely reactive logic to an educational and preventive approach, resting on regular audits, the implementation of inter-operable electronic systems and strengthening effective monitoring and assessment mechanisms”.
The political vision, he continued, “is to strengthen internal control, prevent irregularities, and ensure greater coordination with the Administrative Tribunal and other bodies of the administration of justice”.
“There is no development without strong and responsible institutions”, declared Chapo. He thus demanded that Namashalua and her deputies “use modern technologies to make inspections more effective and efficient and, above all, transparent”.
He added that digitalisation “is a decisive step for reducing red tape, increasing efficiency, and fighting against corruption”.
Chapo called for increased coordination between State bodies, to avoid duplication and maximise results.
He told Namashalua and her deputies “You are the helmsmen of an institution created from scratch, and so you must bear in mind that the work you will do does not depend only on laws and decrees, but on people of integrity, committed to the cause”.
“Your task”, Chapo insisted, “is to guarantee that public resources are managed rigorously, that the norms are respected and that the rights of citizens are protected”. (PF)
